Automated preparation methods and systems

Abstract

Methods and systems automatically controlling a vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes: determining that a vehicle operating mode has been selected by a user; and in response to the determining, automatically preparing at least one component of the vehicle for the vehicle operating mode.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A automated method of controlling a vehicle, comprising:
 determining that a vehicle operating mode has been selected by a user; and   in response to the determining, automatically preparing at least one component of the vehicle for the vehicle operating mode.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle operating mode is a high performance operating mode. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the automatically preparing comprises automatically preparing a temperature of the component. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the component is a brake component. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the component is a tire component. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the automatically preparing comprises generating a control signal to control the component or another component associated with the component such that a desired temperature of the component is achieved. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the automatically preparing comprises communicating a message to a control module to control the component or another component associated with the component such that a desired temperature of the component is achieved. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the automatically preparing comprises automatically preparing pressure of fluid associated with the component. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the component is a pump component. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the pump component is associated with at least one of a transmission, a fuel system, a differential, and a supercharger. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the automatically preparing comprises generating a control signal to control the component or another component associated with the component such that a desired pressure of fluid associated with the component is achieved. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the automatically preparing comprises communicating a message to a control module to control the component or another component associated with the component such that a desired pressure of fluid associated with the component is achieved. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the automatically preparing comprises determining a control value to achieve a desired value of the component. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the control value is a force. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , where in the control value is a fluid amount value. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the control value is a tire angle value. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the automatically preparing comprises determining if conditions have been met to automatically control the component or a component associated with the component, and selectively controlling the component or the component associated with the component in response to the determining if the conditions have been met. 
     
     
         18 . An automated control system, comprising:
 a first module that determines that a vehicle operating mode has been selected by a user; and   a second module that, in response to the determination, automatically prepares at least one component of the vehicle for the vehicle operating mode.   
     
     
         19 . The automated control system of  claim 18  further comprising a third module that determines a list of components to be prepared for the vehicle operating mode and wherein the second module automatically prepares each component of the list of components for the vehicle operating mode. 
     
     
         20 . A vehicle, comprising:
 a user input device that generates a signal based on a user's action; and   a control module that receives the signal, that determines that a vehicle operating mode has been selected based on the signal; and that, in response to the determination, automatically prepares at least one component of the vehicle for the vehicle operating mode.